Remember HyperCard, or Letraset? No? Kath does, but then she’s been a passionate designer for over 17 years. And she’s got the portfolio to prove it – which even includes a (non-Letraset) logo that once appeared on Channel 4.

A day in the life: Kathleen Oakley

May 11th, 2017

Next up in our day in the life blog series is senior designer, Kath. In another life, she may have been giving Indiana Jones a run for his money. Luckily for us, she chose design over archaeology.

Name: Kathleen Oakley

Job title: Senior Designer

Sum up your role in three words: ‘To do’ lists

How did you get into design?

Inspirationally through film, music and books – I used to love looking through all the different covers of my mums Agatha Christie collection. I remember asking who did film titles and later I discovered Vaughan Oliver’s work for 4AD.

What’s the best thing about it?

The team I work in – it feels more like a family where we support and inspire each other.

And the worst?

Incredibly loud conference calls

What’s your career highlight so far?

Designing and illustrating the packaging for Lussa Gin – a small batch gin distillery from Jura. It was great to be involved in a start-up business where you have an almost blank slate degree of freedom. It was a good learning curve in terms of drinks packaging and importantly lovely clients to work with who bought into our vision from the start.

What would you be doing if you weren’t designing?

Archeology!

What’s your morning routine?

Get ready and run to get the number 4 to work, where I spent the 40mins – 60mins journey reading or on Instagram.

First thing you do when you get to the office?

Say hello to Stan (the dog), drink coffee.

What’s a typical day like?

Catch up and respond to any client or account team feedback or emails that may have come in overnight. Work out priorities for the day. I could be working on anything from a selling guide for travel agents, a direct mail piece, guidelines or promotional collateral.

What’s for lunch?

Usually Asda ‘Hot and Spicy’ chicken and salad sandwiches, tea or coffee and Quavers.

Home time! What’s on the agenda?

I usually have some wee projects on the go. I could also be working on the next Poster Project brief. If I’m not doing that I might be footballing or off to a gig.

And finally, what time are lights out?

I’m a bit of a night owl and I try to go to bed on time but can be easily distracted by lists and inspiration so it’s usually midnight and then I hope one of my 3 alarms gets me up in the morning!